Podcast
Business Builders
Hosted by Conor Kearney · EN
I created Business Builders as a weekly interview series to have honest conversations with business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors about their journeys; their successes, setbacks, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. As a growing business builder myself, I want to learn directly from my guests and share those insights with you. My goal is to provide listeners with practical takeaways, fresh perspectives, and real inspiration to help you on your own path to building and growing a business.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
“I Turned a $20M Company Into a $1.45 Billion Exit” | Cathal Friel, Raglan Capital
1w ago01:22:08Tap to summarize🔔🔔 Cathal Friel explains how he built five public companies, turned a $20 million business into a $1.45 billion exit, and why IPOs may be making a comeback for ambitious entrepreneurs 🔔🔔Cathal Friel joins Business Builders for a fascinating conversation on entrepreneurship, IPOs, public markets, distressed assets, investing, AI, and building companies across multiple industries.Cathal is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and company builder who has launched five public companies over the past fourteen years. His ventures have spanned sectors including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, renewable energy, and biotechnology.But this conversation is about far more than stock markets and finance.Cathal explains the repeatable model he has developed for identifying opportunities, acquiring distressed assets, raising capital, and building fast-growing public companies. He shares the story of how a struggling oil and gas company ultimately evolved into Amryt Pharma, which was later sold for $1.45 billion.Drawing on decades of experience as both an entrepreneur and investor, Cathal breaks down the realities of IPOs, why many founders misunderstand public markets, and why he believes going public can be a powerful alternative to private equity.Along the way, he reflects on being forced into the family business at sixteen, the lessons learned from rebuilding debt-ridden companies, the importance of rejection, networking, and continuous learning, and why entrepreneurship is a skill that can be developed rather than something people are simply born with.The conversation also explores AI, the future of work, Europe’s economic outlook, leadership, parenting, and why Cathal remains as excited about building businesses at sixty-one as he was decades ago.This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, reinvention, opportunity, resilience, and building businesses that create long-term value.🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn 🎧:• How Cathal built five public companies in fourteen years • The story behind a $1.45 billion pharmaceutical exit • Why IPOs are often misunderstood by entrepreneurs • The key differences between private equity and public markets • How distressed assets can become valuable businesses • Why investors care more about trust than ideas • The lessons Cathal learned from oil, pharma, biotech and renewables • How public companies can grow through acquisitions • Why rejection is a critical entrepreneurial skill • The importance of networking and building relationships • Why entrepreneurship is a learnable skill • The lessons Cathal learned from running his family business at sixteen • How to think about risk, opportunity and capital allocation • Why AI will reshape work and entrepreneurship • The future of IPOs in Ireland and the UK • Why continuous learning remains one of Cathal’s biggest advantages • The importance of balancing business success with family life • Why he believes Europe is entering a major period of opportunity⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Cold open 01:00 - Introducing Cathal Friel 02:00 - Building companies through IPOs 07:00 - How Cathal spots market opportunities 12:00 - The story behind Amryt Pharma 18:00 - Distressed assets and creating value 24:00 - Why IPOs differ from private equity 31:00 - Investing in small-cap companies 37:00 - Building businesses through acquisitions 44:00 - The future of public markets 49:00 - Rejection, confidence and entrepreneurship 58:00 - Running the family business at sixteen 01:05:00 - Networking, business cards and relationships 01:12:00 - AI, learning and the future of work 01:21:00 - Europe, geopolitics and opportunity 01:33:00 - Parenting, success and long-term thinking 01:38:00 - Final reflections and adviceTopics covered:Entrepreneurship, IPOs, investing, public companies, private equity, distressed assets, business growth, capital markets, pharmaceuticals, biotech, renewable energy, venture building, acquisitions, leadership, networking, AI, future of work, investing strategy, family business, business resilience, startup funding, innovation, company building, European business, entrepreneurship mindset, scaling businesses.
Transcribe →A Big Exit, Confidence & Resilience Ciarán Mulligan, Yes Insurance
2w ago01:10:25Tap to summarize🔔🔔 Ciarán Mulligan explains how he built and sold Blue Insurance, why crises create opportunities in business, and how becoming a father completely changed his perspective on success 🔔🔔Ciarán Mulligan joins Business Builders for a powerful and deeply personal conversation on entrepreneurship, marketing, scaling businesses, resilience, identity, surrogacy, and what really matters after success.Ciarán is the founder of Blue Insurance, the business he built into one of Ireland’s best-known insurance brands before selling in a reported multi-million euro deal. Now, he’s building again with YES Insurance - but this conversation goes far beyond insurance.He explains how Blue Insurance scaled by moving quickly, spotting opportunities during crises, and staying aggressive while competitors pulled back. From exploiting cheap advertising during recessions to building niche insurance products before competitors saw the opportunity, Ciarán shares the mindset that helped grow the company from a small operation into a major international business.He also reflects on the realities of entrepreneurship: negotiating relentlessly, staying lean, surviving economic crashes, dealing with uncertainty, and knowing when the right time to sell actually is.But this episode also becomes something much more personal.Ciarán speaks openly about growing up gay in Ireland, being bullied in school, building confidence over time, and why authenticity mattered to him as a leader. He also shares the emotional story of his surrogacy journey with his husband Brian, including the devastating loss of their first son Connor, the battle to bring him home from Georgia, and how becoming a father ultimately reshaped his priorities and outlook on life.Along the way, the conversation explores marketing psychology, hiring, scaling teams, founder mentality, innovation, customer care, travel, wealth, ambition, and why business success alone is never the full story.This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, family, identity, leadership, and building a meaningful life beyond business.🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn 🎧:Why Ciarán kept advertising during economic crashes while competitors stoppedHow Blue Insurance scaled from a small startup into a multi-million euro companyWhy diversification was critical to surviving crisesThe marketing strategies that helped Blue Insurance dominate its nicheWhy being “lean” became a core operating philosophyHow to negotiate aggressively during downturnsThe importance of spotting opportunities before competitorsWhy founders need to stop micromanaging as companies growThe biggest lessons Ciarán learned scaling teams and hiring peopleWhy communication skills are essential in businessHow working nightlife jobs helped build his confidence and people skillsHis perspective on leadership, customer care, and company cultureThe realities of selling a business after years of building itWhy making money didn’t fundamentally change who he wasThe emotional story behind his family’s surrogacy journeyThe devastating loss of his son Connor and the fight to bring him homeWhy becoming a father changed his priorities completelyWhat success means to him now after business success and personal lossWhy YES Insurance is his next big chapter
Transcribe →(RE-RELEASE) “Why So Many SMEs Get Stuck at €1M–€5M Revenue” | Ed Murphy, Greentech HQ
3w ago01:34:04Tap to summarize🔔🔔 Ed Murphy explains why most businesses fail to scale, what franchising taught him about systems and growth, and why founders themselves are often the bottleneck inside their own companies 🔔🔔Ed Murphy joins Business Builders for a fascinating conversation on scaling businesses, franchising, entrepreneurship, systems thinking, and the realities of building sustainable companies over decades.Ed is the founder of GreenTech HQ and one of Ireland’s most experienced franchise operators, having helped scale major businesses including Snap Printing and Home Instead Senior Care across Ireland.But this conversation is about far more than franchising.Ed explains why so many SMEs get stuck between €1m and €5m revenue, why great founders often struggle to scale their own companies, and why businesses without proper infrastructure inevitably hit a ceiling.Drawing on decades of experience building franchise systems, Ed breaks down the hidden mechanics behind scalable companies: systems, structure, operations, incentives, accountability, leadership, and repeatable processes.He also reflects on the rise and fall of PrintOrigin during the dot-com bubble, the lessons he learned from taking VC investment too early, and why today’s AI boom reminds him of the early internet era.Along the way, Ed shares practical insights on hiring, property, founder psychology, partnerships, incentives, and why sometimes the bravest decision in business is knowing when to stop.The conversation also explores what success actually means after decades in business, and why helping other people succeed ultimately became more fulfilling than chasing money itself.This is a conversation about systems, scaling, leadership, long-term thinking, and building businesses that can grow beyond the founder.🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn 🎧: Why most businesses fail to scale properly The hidden infrastructure every growing business needs Why many founders become the bottleneck inside their own company How franchising taught Ed to build repeatable systems Why systems matter more than hustle when scaling The biggest mistakes SMEs make between €1m–€5m revenue Why some founders had to “sack themselves” as general manager How to structure a business so it can grow beyond you The practical lessons Ed learned scaling Snap Printing across Ireland Why property can become a trap for business owners The story behind PrintOrigin and the dot-com crash Why Ed believes founders should approach AI carefully but seriously His advice for businesses adopting AI today The importance of partnerships, accountability, and shared decision-making Why “fail fast” is often the bravest thing an entrepreneur can do What success actually means after decades in business Why helping others succeed became his biggest motivation How GreenTech HQ is helping create jobs and startups in the southeast of Ireland⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Cold open 01:00 - Introducing Ed Murphy and GreenTech HQ 02:00 - Why SMEs struggle to scale 05:00 - Finding the gaps inside growing businesses 09:00 - Why founders sometimes become the bottleneck 13:00 - Discovering franchising in America 16:00 - Building Snap Printing across Ireland 20:00 - The hard realities of scaling franchise businesses 25:00 - What non-franchise businesses can learn from franchising 30:00 - Why systems create scalable companies 35:00 - The rise and fall of PrintOrigin during the dot-com era 43:00 - AI, technology bubbles, and founder advice 47:00 - The entrepreneurial “7-year itch” 49:00 - Building Home Instead in Ireland 51:00 - Adapting international franchises for local markets 58:00 - Risk, systems, and healthcare businesses 01:00:00 - Failure, ego, and knowing when to stop 01:02:00 - Goal-setting, partnerships, and accountability 01:09:00 - Why Ed eventually moved on from franchising 01:11:00 - Building GreenTech HQ in Wexford 01:14:00 - What success actually means 01:20:00 - Why helping others succeed matters more than money 01:27:00 - The future of GreenTech HQ and the southeastTopics covered:Entrepreneurship, franchising, business systems, scaling businesses, SME growth, leadership, founder mindset, AI, startups, operational systems, business infrastructure, franchising models, Home Instead, Snap Printing, GreenTech HQ, business partnerships, startup growth, innovation, management, business strategy, founder psychology
Transcribe →“Why So Many SMEs Get Stuck at €1M–€5M Revenue” | Ed Murphy, Greentech HQ
3w ago01:34:04Tap to summarize🔔🔔 Ed Murphy explains why most businesses fail to scale, what franchising taught him about systems and growth, and why founders themselves are often the bottleneck inside their own companies 🔔🔔Ed Murphy joins Business Builders for a fascinating conversation on scaling businesses, franchising, entrepreneurship, systems thinking, and the realities of building sustainable companies over decades.Ed is the founder of GreenTech HQ and one of Ireland’s most experienced franchise operators, having helped scale major businesses including Snap Printing and Home Instead Senior Care across Ireland.But this conversation is about far more than franchising.Ed explains why so many SMEs get stuck between €1m and €5m revenue, why great founders often struggle to scale their own companies, and why businesses without proper infrastructure inevitably hit a ceiling.Drawing on decades of experience building franchise systems, Ed breaks down the hidden mechanics behind scalable companies: systems, structure, operations, incentives, accountability, leadership, and repeatable processes.He also reflects on the rise and fall of PrintOrigin during the dot-com bubble, the lessons he learned from taking VC investment too early, and why today’s AI boom reminds him of the early internet era.Along the way, Ed shares practical insights on hiring, property, founder psychology, partnerships, incentives, and why sometimes the bravest decision in business is knowing when to stop.The conversation also explores what success actually means after decades in business, and why helping other people succeed ultimately became more fulfilling than chasing money itself.This is a conversation about systems, scaling, leadership, long-term thinking, and building businesses that can grow beyond the founder.🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn 🎧: Why most businesses fail to scale properly The hidden infrastructure every growing business needs Why many founders become the bottleneck inside their own company How franchising taught Ed to build repeatable systems Why systems matter more than hustle when scaling The biggest mistakes SMEs make between €1m–€5m revenue Why some founders had to “sack themselves” as general manager How to structure a business so it can grow beyond you The practical lessons Ed learned scaling Snap Printing across Ireland Why property can become a trap for business owners The story behind PrintOrigin and the dot-com crash Why Ed believes founders should approach AI carefully but seriously His advice for businesses adopting AI today The importance of partnerships, accountability, and shared decision-making Why “fail fast” is often the bravest thing an entrepreneur can do What success actually means after decades in business Why helping others succeed became his biggest motivation How GreenTech HQ is helping create jobs and startups in the southeast of Ireland⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Cold open 01:00 - Introducing Ed Murphy and GreenTech HQ 02:00 - Why SMEs struggle to scale 05:00 - Finding the gaps inside growing businesses 09:00 - Why founders sometimes become the bottleneck 13:00 - Discovering franchising in America 16:00 - Building Snap Printing across Ireland 20:00 - The hard realities of scaling franchise businesses 25:00 - What non-franchise businesses can learn from franchising 30:00 - Why systems create scalable companies 35:00 - The rise and fall of PrintOrigin during the dot-com era 43:00 - AI, technology bubbles, and founder advice 47:00 - The entrepreneurial “7-year itch” 49:00 - Building Home Instead in Ireland 51:00 - Adapting international franchises for local markets 58:00 - Risk, systems, and healthcare businesses 01:00:00 - Failure, ego, and knowing when to stop 01:02:00 - Goal-setting, partnerships, and accountability 01:09:00 - Why Ed eventually moved on from franchising 01:11:00 - Building GreenTech HQ in Wexford 01:14:00 - What success actually means 01:20:00 - Why helping others succeed matters more than money 01:27:00 - The future of GreenTech HQ and the southeastTopics covered:Entrepreneurship, franchising, business systems, scaling businesses, SME growth, leadership, founder mindset, AI, startups, operational systems, business infrastructure, franchising models, Home Instead, Snap Printing, GreenTech HQ, business partnerships, startup growth, innovation, management, business strategy, founder psychology
Transcribe →“I Built a Multi-Million Euro Business With €1,000” | Troy Armour, Junk Kouture
4w ago01:35:13Tap to summarize🔔🔔 Troy Armour reveals how he built Junk Kouture from a €1,000 idea into a global movement, and why he believes most entrepreneurs are driven by trauma, creativity, and the need to stand out 🔔🔔Join the movement to help spread 1 Million good deeds at Mo Chuisle: https://30daysofgooddeeds.com/Troy Armour joins Business Builders for one of the most wide-ranging and unconventional conversations we’ve ever had, covering entrepreneurship, creativity, trauma, AI, identity, leadership, and the deeper psychology behind building businesses.What began as a small creative idea with just €1,000 in the bank grew into Junk Kouture: a global platform spanning more than 100,000 young people across 74 nationalities, helping students express themselves through creativity, fashion, storytelling, and performance.But Troy’s story is about far more than building a successful business.He explains why he believes most entrepreneurs are “addicts” driven by feelings of not being enough, how childhood experiences shape ambition, and why creativity often emerges from pressure, pain, and constraint.Along the way, Troy shares the early hustle behind Junk Kouture; writing letters to nearly 1,000 schools because he couldn’t afford marketing, persuading venues to host events for free, and figuring everything out in real time with no roadmap and almost no money.The conversation also explores Troy’s deeply personal journey of self-discovery: from leadership struggles and burnout, to ayahuasca retreats in Brazil, vulnerability, shame, and learning to accept himself.He also discusses the future of AI, why he believes we are entering “the age of creativity,” and how artificial intelligence will fundamentally reshape business, software, and work itself over the next decade.This is a conversation about ambition, identity, creativity, healing, and what really drives people to build.“If you don’t fit in, then maybe you were born to stand out.”🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn 🎧: How Troy built Junk Kouture starting with just €1,000 Why constraints and lack of money can create better businesses The unconventional early growth story behind Junk Kouture Why Troy believes most entrepreneurs are driven by trauma and insecurity The similarities between entrepreneurial obsession and addiction How creativity and pressure are deeply connected What Troy learned about leadership after nearly burning out Why vulnerability and shame shape so much of human behaviour The personal story behind Troy’s ayahuasca experience in Brazil Why he believes “most people leave school broken” How Junk Kouture helps young people build confidence and identity Why AI will transform business and usher in “the age of creativity” Troy’s predictions for the future of software, SaaS, and entrepreneurship Why environment and proximity changed the scale of his ambition What success, happiness, and fulfillment really mean to him now
Transcribe →“You Can’t Build a Business Without Hard Decisions” | Colin Culliton, Kith&Kin
Apr 2001:04:58Tap to summarize🔔🔔 Colin Culliton reveals why you can’t build a successful business without making hard decisions - and the realities of scaling through crisis 🔔🔔Colin Culliton joins Business Builders to share the story of how he built and scaled a multi-million euro print and communications group, and the hard decisions that defined his journey.What began as a small “me too” printing company with six people grew into a €20M group of businesses spanning design, marketing, events, and more. But the path from startup to scale was anything but smooth.Colin explains how he approached growth in a traditional, highly competitive industry, starting with organic growth before using acquisitions to accelerate scale and expand into new areas.Along the way, he learned that business success isn’t about avoiding problems; it’s about facing them head-on. Nowhere was this clearer than during the 2008 financial crisis, when Colin made the counterintuitive decision to cut headcount while the business was still booming - a move that ultimately saved the company.In this episode, Colin breaks down what it really takes to build a long-term business: from making tough calls under pressure, to trusting your instincts, to building teams that can solve problems better than you can.He also reflects on leadership, the realities of managing multiple businesses, and why the fear of failure never truly goes away - no matter how successful you become.This is a conversation about resilience, decision-making, and the truth behind what it takes to survive and scale a business over decades.“If you think you can avoid hard decisions and build a business over the long term - you just can’t.” 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Colin started his first business - and why the idea itself mattered less than taking action How to grow a company in a traditional, competitive industry The role of acquisitions in scaling a business faster Why making hard decisions quickly is critical to long-term success What founders get wrong about growth during good times How Colin navigated the 2008 financial crisis and protected his business Why trusting your instincts is one of the most important skills in business The challenges of managing multiple businesses and leaders How to build teams with diverse thinking and strong problem-solving ability Why fear of failure never goes away - and how it drives performance ⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Cold open 01:00 - Introducing Colin Culliton 02:00 - Starting a “me too” printing business 05:30 - Winning early clients and building trust 10:30 - Dyslexia as a problem-solving advantage 15:00 - Early growth and first acquisition 20:30 - Scaling through acquisitions vs organic growth 25:00 - Spotting risk before the 2008 crash 27:00 - Cutting headcount before the downturn 31:00 - Surviving the financial crisis 34:00 - Lessons from competitors failing 38:00 - Leadership, learning, and self-development 41:00 - How to approach buying a business 47:00 - Managing multiple companies and leaders 53:00 - Why business is always a fight 56:00 - Success, money, and what really matters 59:00 - Sacrifices and work-life balance 01:01:00 - Fear of failure and final adviceTopics covered:Entrepreneurship, business growth, leadership, acquisitions, scaling a business, financial crisis, decision-making, founder mindset, SME strategy, resilience, Colin Culliton
Transcribe →"This Is What It Takes To Really Scale a Business" | Ciaran Burke, Swoop
Apr 1301:00:57Tap to summarize🔔🔔 Ciaran Burke, CEO and co-founder of Swoop, shares how he built a global fintech platform helping 300,000+ businesses access over £2BN in funding - and the brutal realities behind scaling a startup 🔔🔔Ciaran Burke joins Business Builders to share the story behind Swoop and the realities of building and scaling a fintech company in the modern funding landscape.What started as a simple idea - helping small businesses navigate the complex world of finance - has grown into a global platform operating across multiple countries, connecting businesses with loans, equity, grants, and financial insights.But the journey from early-stage startup to international scale was anything but smooth.Ciaran shares the often unseen side of entrepreneurship; from sleepless nights during funding rounds to the pressure of keeping a team motivated while facing uncertainty behind the scenes.Along the way, he learned one of the most important lessons in business; not all revenue is created equal. Growth can look impressive on the surface, but without understanding margins and key drivers, it can actually hold a business back.In this episode, Ciaran breaks down what it really takes to scale a company: understanding your numbers, making tough decisions about where to focus, and navigating the emotional and operational challenges that come with growth.He also explains why many founders misunderstand funding, how businesses limit themselves by relying on a single source of finance, and why being “funding ready” is more important than ever.This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, fintech, and the reality of building a business in an increasingly complex and competitive environment.“Not all revenue is the same… some of it looks good, but you’re actually giving most of it away.”🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Ciaran co-founded Swoop and the problem it solves for businesses The hidden realities of fundraising and founder pressure Why not all revenue is equal - and how to think about margin How small improvements in key metrics can drive massive growth What it really means to be “funding ready” Why many founders give up too early when seeking finance How to understand and track the most important numbers in your business The challenges of building a two-sided marketplace Why having a co-founder can be critical during tough periods What it takes to scale a business across multiple countries⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Cold open 01:00 - Introducing Ciaran Burke and Swoop 03:30 - The problem with business funding 08:00 - How Swoop works and makes money 12:00 - Early days and building the business 15:30 - The challenge of two-sided marketplaces 26:00 - Why not all revenue is equal 30:30 - Being funding ready and understanding your numbers 40:40 - Founder pressure and fundraising stress 42:00 - The importance of co-founders 48:30 - Building a business internationally 55:00 - Lessons from scaling SwoopTopics covered:Entrepreneurship, fintech, Swoop, startup funding, business finance, scaling a business, founders, cashflow, revenue vs profit, two-sided marketplaces, leadership, startup growth.
Transcribe →“You Don’t Need More Hustle, You Need This System” - Willie McMahon, EOS
Apr 601:36:26Tap to summarize🔔🔔 Willie McMahon built, scaled, and sold a 45-person engineering business - then walked away to help other founders do it better. 🔔🔔Willie is giving away 10 copies of the book Traction on a first come first served basis. If you’re running a company with between 10 - 250 employees, contact Willie to get your free copy: willie.mcmahon@eosworldwide.comWillie McMahon, EOS Implementer and founder of CalX (exited) joins Business Builders to share how he went from a one-man operation to building and exiting a scaling engineering business - and what he learned along the way.Starting with no plan, no funding, and no support network, Willie built a calibration and instrumentation business from scratch. What began as a solo operation grew into a 45-person company, navigating cash flow pressure, hiring challenges, and the realities of bootstrapping - before eventually merging and exiting.But the journey wasn’t smooth. Growth nearly broke the business multiple times. Hiring mistakes, cash constraints, and operational complexity forced hard decisions - including turning down major opportunities that could have destroyed everything.Willie shares how 90-day execution cycles and relentless problem-solving helped them scale - even before formally discovering EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System).The conversation dives into what actually drives business success: people, structure, and clarity. Willie explains why most problems are not what they seem, why founders are often the bottleneck, and how systems - not effort - create scalable companies.He also opens up about the emotional side of building and selling a business: risk, fear, responsibility, and the moment you realise you’re responsible for other people’s livelihoods.Now working with founders through EOS, Willie helps businesses break through growth ceilings, build stronger cultures, and create structure that enables freedom.This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, scaling, leadership, and building a business that actually works.“It's not the person - it's the system around them.”🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:How Willie built and scaled a business from 1 to 45 people Why most businesses hit growth ceilings (and how to break through them) The reality of bootstrapping and managing cash flow Why hiring “another you” is a mistake How to think about risk as a founder Why short-term (90-day) thinking drives long-term growth The importance of culture and hiring the right people How to structure a business for scale Why most problems are systems problems, not people problems The emotional reality of selling a business How EOS helps founders gain clarity, control, and freedom Why you must grow as a person to grow your business⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Cold open 00:55 - Introducing Willie McMahon and EOS 02:00 - What calibration and instrumentation actually is 05:00 - Early career and falling into the industry 08:30 - The moment he decided to start his own business 11:00 - First hires and early hiring mistakes 14:30 - “I didn’t need another me” 16:00 - Bootstrapping and surviving on cash flow 18:00 - 90-day targets and early growth 21:00 - Becoming an employer and responsibility for people 23:00 - Turning down a huge opportunity 26:00 - Fear, risk, and decision-making as a founder 30:00 - Discovering EOS and business frameworks 33:00 - Why founders must grow to scale their business 37:00 - Building culture (and the fictional character hiring test) 42:00 - Merging the business and scaling rapidly 46:00 - Managing operations, hiring, and field teams 53:00 - Marketing tactics that actually worked 57:00 - Growth during COVID and scaling chall
Transcribe →“There Is No Finish Line in Business” | Gowri Subramanian, Aspire Systems
Mar 3001:08:44Tap to summarize🔔🔔 Gowri Subramanian built a $200M global software company over 25 years - without venture capital 🔔🔔Gowri Subramanian, CEO of Aspire Systems, joins Business Builders to share how he built and scaled a global technology services company from zero to $200M in revenue; entirely bootstrapped.What started as a group of seven friends with no clear plan or funding became a 4,500-person software and technology services business working with global enterprises across the US, Europe, and beyond. But the journey was slow and difficult. It took years to find product-market fit, pivot away from a non-scaling business model, and reach profitability.Gowri explains how Aspire evolved from an industrial engineering consultancy into a software product engineering company, a pivot that unlocked growth. Instead of raising venture capital, the company reinvested profits and used debt funding to scale, taking a long-term approach. Moving from $10M to $100M required one set of capabilities; but, scaling beyond that meant competing with global firms like Accenture, Capgemini, and Infosys. Gowri shares why every stage requires a different company, strategy, and mindset.The conversation also explores AI and its impact on the software industry. Gowri explains why AI threatens traditional time-and-materials models, while also creating opportunities in legacy modernisation, enterprise transformation, and custom software.Beyond strategy, this episode dives into leadership, culture, and long-term thinking. Gowri shares why people and open feedback are critical to scaling, and why he’s focused on building a business for the long term - not for exit - including creating impact through philanthropy in India.This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, scaling, AI disruption, and building something that lasts.“Business is a rat race - there is no finish line.”🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:How Gowri built Aspire Systems into a $200M global company Why the first 7 years of business were the hardest The importance of pivoting when a business isn’t scaling How to grow without venture capital Why scaling from $100M to $200M is so difficult What changes at each stage of growth How to compete with global firms like Accenture and Infosys The real impact of AI on software businesses Why AI is both a threat and an opportunity How culture and people drive success The role of persistence over decades Why teaching skills creates more impact than charity⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Cold open 00:55 - Introducing Gowri Subramanian and Aspire Systems 02:00 - What Aspire Systems does 05:00 - Moving from India to Singapore and Ireland 06:00 - Starting with no plan or funding 09:00 - 7 founders to 3 12:00 - Early business model and pivot 13:30 - Shutting down one business 14:30 - Road to profitability 18:00 - Early ambition 21:30 - Bootstrapping vs VC 22:30 - Growth to $100M 25:30 - Scaling challenges 27:30 - “Business is a rat race” 29:30 - AI and the future 34:30 - Culture and leadership 37:00 - Open feedback 40:00 - Founder mindset 47:30 - Angel investing 50:00 - India’s growth 59:30 - Philanthropy 01:05:00 - Long-term visionTopics covered:Entrepreneurship, scaling a business, bootstrapping, venture capital, AI and business, software industry, technology services, leadership, company culture, global expansion, startups, India economy, product engineering, long-term business building, philanthropy, founders
Transcribe →Viva La Vulva! with Laura Dowling, fabÜ
Mar 2301:08:38Tap to summarize🔔🔔 Laura Dowling, founder of fabÜ, built a business by talking about topics most people avoid; and it changed everything 🔔🔔Laura Dowling joins Business Builders to share how she turned women’s health - one of the most overlooked and under-discussed areas in healthcare - into a fast-growing brand, a platform, and a movement.What started as years of frustration working as a pharmacist and seeing women suffer in silence with issues no one was talking about, evolved into a business, a movement, and a platform for education.Laura explains how she spent over a decade developing formulations before launching fabÜ from her couch, without retail backing or a traditional business plan. By building an audience on Instagram and speaking openly about topics many considered taboo, she created demand first - and the business followed.Along the way, she uncovered something deeper: women’s health has been historically misunderstood, under-discussed, and often dismissed. From menopause to intimate health, many women simply aren’t given the language, knowledge, or confidence to understand their own bodies.In this episode, Laura shares how she turned that insight into a brand, a live show, and a bestselling book - all while staying true to her voice and refusing to sanitise the message.She also opens up about failure, launching without a plan, living with ADHD as a founder, and why building a business doesn’t always follow a straight line.This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, and the power of saying the things no one else is willing to say.“People are embarassed to talk about it - but that’s exactly why it matters.”🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Laura started fabÜ and the problem she saw in women’s health How she built a business without a traditional plan The realities of launching a product with no retail backing Why Instagram played a key role in growing her audience How taboo topics became her biggest advantage What women’s health issues are still not being talked about How to build a brand by being unapologetically yourself The role of ADHD in her entrepreneurial journey Why founders should trust instinct over “perfect” market research How purpose and mission can drive long-term business growth⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Cold open 00:55 - Introducing Laura Dowling and fabÜ 02:10 - Launching the business from her couch 05:30 - Preventative health vs “sick care” 08:45 - Building an audience on Instagram 14:00 - ADHD and the entrepreneurial mind 21:00 - Why we don’t talk about women’s health 24:45 - The talk that changed everything 27:30 - Turning taboo into a business 30:15 - Breaking stigma and building a brand 35:30 - Growing without a traditional plan 39:15 - Ask for forgiveness, not permission 43:15 - Trusting instinct over market research 53:00 - Hiring, team building and culture 01:00:00 - Asking for help and final adviceTopics covered:Entrepreneurship, women’s health, fabÜ, supplements, startup founders, personal branding, Instagram marketing, ADHD and business, health education, building a brand, taboo topics, consumer products.
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